Colostomy units



June 3, 1958 V R, cow s 2,837,094-

COLOSTOMY UNITS Filed June 20, 1955 IN V EN TOR.

z- 3 RAYMOND l-I. con LE3 7W W W0 A TTOR/VEYS COLOSTOMY Raymond H.Cowles, San Francisco, Calif., assignor, by decree of distribution, toPauline M. Cowles Application llune 20, 1955, Serial No. 516,530 14Claims. (Cl. 128-283) [This invention relates to new and usefulimprovements in colostomy units. 7

. e invention comprises a deformable ring designed to receive adisposable bag, the same being provided with means for securing saidring and attached bag to a human torso. I

, A particular object and feature of this invention resides in thecomfort afforded the user, coupled with high efficiency of the unit. Thering securing the bag in place is composed of a deformable material,sufficiently pliable to be comfortable against the skin of the user.Stifieners or equalizers are included in the construction of the ring toprevent collapse of the ring over the colostomy and provide assuredprotection therearound. Being deformable, the ring contours itselfcomfortably to theshape' of the adjacent body to which it is secured.Also,pressure is evenly distributed throughout the ring, avoidingconcentration of pressure at any particular point of contact with theskin of the user. At the same time the stiffeners or equalizers limitdistortion or deformation of the ring, maintaining an effective guardaround the colostomy. All hard or metallic elements-are designed inposition to extend away from or avoid contact with the body, and theunit may be secured to the body by an elastic belt which may becomfortably worn and at the same time satisfactorily and securelymaintain the ring and attached bag in position.

' The deformable quality the efiiciency of the unit in that it contoursitself to form a flush abutment or juncture with the body.

Another object and feature of this invention resides in the simplicityand ease with which the device may be employed. As will hereinafterappear, the device is easily and quickly assembled and secured in placefor efficient protection to the user. 7

-A further object of the invention resides in thepositive connection ofthe ring and the bag, assuring complete protection;

' It'is also an object ,of this invention to provide a de-.

vice which may alternatively be used as an aid to irrigation of thecolon and also for protection during the normal course of daily events.I I

Still another object is the provision of a bag or receiver for fecalmatter composed of material sufliciently inexpensive to be disposed ofafter use. These, and other objects of the invention will appear from anunderstanding of the following written description of one embodiment ofthe invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein: p e

' Fig. 1 shows a'human torso in partial outline wearing the device inproper position; o

Fig. 2 is an exploded plan view of the deformable ring and showing therelativeposition of the ring and stifleners prior to assembly; 7

Fig. 3 is a perspective 'view of the tubular bag;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan view showing certain details of theinvention; and

Fig. 5 is a substantial cross sectionof Fig. 4.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the invention comprises atubularring 2 composed of a deformable material. as, for example, rubber.or analogous plastic 7 materials. The'ring 2 is of dimension wherebyits diam of said ring is also an aid in' Patented June 3, 1958 ice eteris greater than the greatest distance across the colostomy which it isto cover. To facilitate description the said ring 2 will be referred toas comprising an inner side or wall 2a and an outer side or wall 2b. 1

As particularly illustrated in Figs. 2 and'4, a pair of columnar bars 3act as stitfeners or equalizers tov limit deformation of ring 2. Eachstiffener 3 has a diameter the same as or slightly greater than theinternal diameter of said ring 2. Eachstiffener 3 is provided with a pin4 comprising a stem 6 and a blunt head 7. Stiffeners 3 are disposedinteriorly of said tubular ring 2 with pins 4 substantially 180 measuredon said ring from each other. Pins 4 protrude unidirectionally throughthe outer side or wall 2b of ring 2 and substantially normal to theplane thereof. As particularly shown in Figs. 2 and 4 stifieners 3 maybe inserted in ring 2 by first forming or cutting said ring to comprisea pair of semicircles. Said bars 3 are then induced in the open ends ofthe semicircular sections of ring 2 and secured in place by a suitable.cement.

The bag 8 comprises a tubular member, open at its ends, and composed ofa waterproof and relatively inexpensive material. Polyethylene isparticularly recommended as a suitable composition for the bag 8. Likematerials may be satisfactorily employed. The diameter of tubular memberor bag 8 is slightly smaller than the external diameter of ring 2 tofacilitate a firm connection of the two.

Belt 9 is composed of elastic material and cut.to a length somewhatlonger than a given human waist which it is to surround.

A pair of identical clasps 12 each comprise a belt receiving yoke 13 anda pin receiving yoke 14. The pin receiving yoke 14 is separated from thebelt receiving yoke 13 by an open space 16 of suflicient dimension toreceive the head 7 of pin 4. Said open space 16 communicates with thenarrowed opening of pin receiving yoke 14 whereby the head 7 of pin4'may be inserted through opening 16 and removably slid into securedposition at the closed end of pin receiving yoke 14. The ends of thebelt 9 are each passed through a belt receiving yoke and turned back.One turned back end of belt 9 is secured, as by stitching 17, to theobverse surface of.

buckles '18 and 19, the latter being spaced from eachother. I

The device is assembled and worn as follows:

The tubular bag 8 is drawn through ring 2 passing from outerside 2b toinner side 2a of ring 2 sufiiciently far to turn a sleeve or cuff 21over ring 2 and pins 4, as illustrated in Fig. 1.- Ring 2 withaccompanying bag 8 is nextpositioned over the colostomy with inner side2a or ring 2 next to the. skin of the user, and separated therefrombythe top of cuflf 21. Belt 9 is passed around the waist of the user andclasps 12 are each slipped or secured to a pin 4. In this manner pins 4are each removably secured in a pin receiving yoke'14 of a clasp 12, andcuff 21 of bag 8 is *cinched therebetween, positively securing ring 2and bag 8 in position. Belt 9 is adjusted to a comfortable and firmtightness by lengthening or shortening the turned back end of belt 9 inslip buckle 18.

The deformable ring contours itself comfortably and snuglyagainst theadjacent skin of the user, and a flush juncture. is formed therebetween. At the same time. stiifeners It-limit. distortion ordeformation of ring 2' .Being thus assembled the device may serve eitherof two purposes: It may assist the patient or user in irriga;

tion of the colon; it may also be 'used as a comfortable 3 safetymeasure against unpleasant accidents during the normal course of theday.

When employed as an aid to irrigation the users physician willordinarily give specific directions. Generally, the device is used as anaid to irrigation by permitting tubular bag 8 to depend into a toiletbowl, the patient either sitting on or standing adjacent the same. Acatheter is then inserted in the colostomy according to physiciansdirections. Tubular bag 8 channels all waste material into the toilet.When irrigation is completed, tubular bag 8 is removedfrom ring 2 byremoving clasps 12 from pins 4. The bag 8 may be sheared to relativelysmall pieces and may then be flushed down the bowl.

Following irrigation and for protection during the day the device isfitted on the user as above described. In addition the depending end ofbag 8 is drawn together and passed through the two segments of belt 9and slip buckle 19 is employed to cinch the enclosed end of bag 8 insecured position. The user may then dress and proceed about his affairswith comfort and assurance of protection.

What is claimed is:

1. As a support in a colostomy unit a deformable ring composed offlexible material, and means to prevent said deformable ring fromcollapsing upon exertion of diametrically opposed forces within selectedopposite sectors of said ring, said last named means extendingthroughout two opposed segments of said ring each of alengthsubstantialy less than one-half the circumference of said ring.

2. As a support in a colostomy unit a deformable ring composed offlexible material, means to prevent said deformable ring from collapsingupon exertion of diametrically opposed forces within selected oppositesectors of said ring, said last named means extending throughout twoopposed segments of said ring each of a length substantially less thanone-half the circumference of said ring, means to attach said ring to ahuman torso, and means to attach removably a colostomy bag to said ring.

3. As a support in a colostomy unit a deformable tubular ring composedof flexible material and a pair of relatively rigid bars disposedinteriorly of said ring and positioned diametrically opposite oneanother, said bars provided with diametrically opposed projectingelements.

4. In a colostomy unit the combination comprising a deformable ring;means limiting deformation of said ring within predetermined limits;said last named means extending throughout two opposed segments of saidring each of a length substantially less than one-half the circumferenceof said ring and a tubular member open at its ends and removably securedat one end to said ring.

5. In a colostomy unit the combination comprising a deformable tubularring; a pair of relatively rigid bars disposed interiorly of said ringand positioned diamertically opposite one another; means to secure saidring to a human torso; and means to attach a colostomy bag to said ring.

6. In a colostomy unit the combination comprising a deformable tubularring formed of flexible material; means to limit deformation of saidring; said last named means extending throughout two opposed segments ofsaid ring each of a length substantially less than onehalf thecircumference of said ring; means comprising a belt to secure said ringto a human torso; and means to attach a colostomy bag to said ring.

7. The combination of claim 6 and wherein said last named means comprisepins on said means to limit deformation and wherein the means to limitdeformation of said ring comprises a pair of rigid members disposedwithin said tubular member and spaced from one another approximately180", said members each provided IWiflJ a projecting element, said beltattached removably at opposite ends to said pins.

I a deformable tubular 8. In a colostomy unit the combination comprisinga deformable ring; means limting deformation of said ring withinpredetermined limits; a tubular member open at its ends and removablysecured at one end to said ring; a belt removably secured to said ring;a pair of slip buckles carried by the belt, one of said buckles and saidbelt arranged to receive and hold closed the other end of said tubularmember.

9. In a colostomy unit the combination comprising a deformable tubularring formed of flexible material; a pair of relatively rigid barsdisposed interiorly of said ring and positioned diametrically oppositeone another; a tubular member open at its ends and having one endremovably secured to said ring; a belt removably secured to said ring; apair of slip buckles carried by the belt, said belt and at least one ofsaid buckles arranged to receive and close the other end of said tubularmember.

10. In a colostomy unit the combination comprising a deformable ring;means limiting deformation of said ring within predetermined limits; apair of projecting members; said members secured to said ring andprojecting unidirectionally from said ring substantially normal to thetop surface thereof and spaced from each other substantially on saidring; a belt; each end of said belt removably secured to a projectingmember; and a tubular member open at its ends; one end of said tubularmember passing through said ring and turned back to form a cufftherearound; said projecting members comprising means to attachremovably said tubular member to said ring. a

11. In a colostomy unit the combination comprising ring composed offlexible material; a pair of relatively rigid bars disposed interiorlyof said ring diametrically'opposite each other; each said bar providedwith a pin; said pins extending unidirectionally from said ringandsubstantially normal to the top surface thereof; a tubular memberopen at'its ends; one end of said tubular member passing through saidring and turned back to form a cuff therearound; and a belt removablysecured to said pins; the cuffed end of said tubular member being lockedremovably to said ring by said belt and pins.

12. The combination according to claim 10 in which said belt comprisesmeans for closing the other end of said tubular ring,

13. The combination according to claim 11 in which said belt comprisesmeans for closing the other end of said tubular ring.

14. In a colostomy unit the combination comprising a deformable tubularring; a pair of relatively rigid bars,

each said bar provided with a projecting pin located substantially atthe center thereof; said bars disposed interiorly of said tubular ringwith said pins substantially 180 from each other extendingunidirectionally from said ring substantially normal to the top surfacethereof; a tubular member open at its ends and having a diameter greaterthan said ring; one end of said tubular member-passed through said ringand turned back to form a cutf around said ring and over said pins; abelt; a pair of clasps; one of said clasps secured to one end of saidbelt and provided with a yoke wherein a pin may be removably securedlocking the cuffed end of said tubular member therein; the other claspprovided with a yoke wherein the other pin may be removably securedadditionally locking said cuff and a second yoke to slidably receivesaid belt therein; and a pair of slip buckles slidably mounted on saidbelt; at least one said buckle and belt arranged to receive and securethe other end of said tubular member to said belt.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,634,727 Nelson Apr. 14, 3

